“Combiner Wars Epilogue”

It’s good to see Windblade finally taking center stage in her own comic. Launching the title as part of a crossover-event necessarily meant minimizing her a bit in the first few issues, so this is the first chance we really have to see her shine. I like what I’m seeing.

Part of this is very literal, as new artist Howell wastes no time putting her own style on these pages. I make no secret that I’m a sucker for blocky-cartoony Transformers (Matt Frank is my spirit animal), and this is right up my alley. The exaggerated expressions and body language are especially appreciated in an issue that is ostensibly about politics—it would have been way too easy for most artists to fill up the pages with stiff-looking talking heads, and it would have been especially bothersome because the issue features the race-obsessed Velocitronians. Howell infuses the characters with motion and brings out many nuances from Scott’s script. I really can’t wait to see more from this team.

Scott’s “casting” is really fantastic here. Knock Out was of course lifted directly from Transformers Prime, and despite being a Velocitronian delegate he’s practically unchanged in personality. And what a personality! Even Starscream just fades into the background! Scott plays Knock Out and Windblade off each other wonderfully and throughout the issue shows us how Windblade is at once a diplomat and a warrior. Windblade’s continued discomfort around Chromia was a touch I especially liked and thought Howell captured very well. Rattrap continues to play both sides and be trusted by neither, and I think it’ll be interesting to see how things work out with him.

The issue leaves me a bit torn though. On one hand, I could really go for a Transformers comic that takes after Stargate or Sliders that hops around the universe going on colony-finding adventures. On the other hand, I want this team to hurry back to Cybertron because I’m more interested than I’ve ever been in Transformers political intrigue. I think Windblade could play well to both of those desires… or it might become something even better.